Project Hail Mary

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What were your first impressions of the protagonist Ryland Grace and his mission? 
• Considering Ryland Grace’s interactions and relationship with Rocky and the Eridians, what did you enjoy the most about his character arc? What did you enjoy the least?
• Consider The Martian, also by Andy Weir. How do both books navigate the interconnectedness of human isolation and problem-solving to protect others?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Have you ever experienced the slow return of significant memories? How does your relationship with your memory allow you to relate, or not relate, to Ryland?
• One of the book’s themes is survival and sacrifice. What are some of the sacrifices you have made for others? What sacrifices have others made for you, and how does this affect your reading of the novel?
• Consider your personal views on interspecies friendships on any scale. Did the relationship between Ryland and Rocky evoke feelings of interspecies companionship in you?
• Ryland waking alone on a ship destined for sacrifice and finding his companions deceased is emotional. Did this evoke a sense of loneliness in you? Were you able to relate this feeling to anything you have personally experienced?
• How did Ryland’s decision to remain with the Eridians impact you? Is there sadness in the fact that he did not choose to return to his fellow humans?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Consider the novel within the context of current climate issues. How does the novel’s discussion of climate crisis intersect with the present moment, and what commentary does it offer?
• Space exploration is a primary interest of many technologically advanced countries. What does this novel offer regarding these human efforts? Does its plot seem rooted in current human endeavors?

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• What does the ship Hail Mary symbolize about humanity’s wishes for its survival? Can the ship be read as hopeful, resigned, or a mix of both emotions?
• Discuss the evolution of the relationship between Ryland and Rocky. How do they bond through their shared need to save their species, and how does their collaboration fuel their closeness?
• Ryland and Rocky do not share an ability to communicate verbally. What does their deep bond suggest about non-verbal communication and overcoming language barriers to build strong relationships?
• How does the book’s non-linear structure, alternating between Ryland’s present and past, affect the sense of loneliness in the novel? How does it affect the novel’s overall tone?
• How does the text use humor to balance the bleakness of the journey and mission itself? Is it effective?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• If this film were adapted into a movie, who would you cast as Ryland? Since Rocky is non-human and non-verbal, how might you enhance this core relationship through visual and sound effects?
• Create a playlist for Ryland’s present journey to save Earth. What is the flow of the playlist in terms of its ups and downs?

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